If it wasn’t before, Trayvon Martin officially became a household name this past week. The media hyped up the case to such a grotesque level that the population slowly forgot what the real trial was about, and basically chalked it up to a modern-day reverse OJ Simspon trial. You were either for Zimmerman or you were for Trayvon Martin. The problem is, OJ Simpson was a suspect, whereas Zimmerman actually did kill Martin. People of the world were up in arms. Was Zimmerman in the wrong for shooting the teen, or was he merely acting out of instinct, fearing for his safety and possibly his life?

The court decided it was the latter, and a good portion of the world spun out of control. Beyonce asked the crowd for a moment of silence at one of her concerts before singing an emotional, “I Will Always Love You,” while Miley Cyrus tweeted, “I feel sick. #RipTrayvonMartin. No justice, no peace.” Rihanna even threw her two cents in: “This is the saddest news ever!!! #whatsjustice #pray4theMartinFamily.” The hashtags really make these sentiments more meaningful for the younger generation.

While I grieve the loss of Trayvon Martin, I have just one question: Why was this trial so sensationalized? “Racially-charged trial” may come to mind, and unfortunately, that’s likely the case. But what about Mark Carson? The name doesn’t ring a bell in majority of households across the country? Mark Carson was a 32-year-old African American man shot dead in Greenwich Village. He made headlines for a day or two, but nothing compared to Zimmerman and Martin. Did we mention that Carson was shot in a hate-crime for being gay? Fascinating how the media decides what issues people should riot over. A 17-year-old is demonized by Zimmerman’s defense attorney and people are protesting. I’m assuming when Carson’s case finally takes place, defense attorneys will twist the story around, placing blame on Carson for being at the wrong place at the wrong time: “Well, Carson was flaunting his sexuality around like a loaded gun, so my client was merely defending himself.” I can see it now. After all, conservative radio host Bryan Fischer just recently tweeted: “For example of injustice, don’t look at Zimmerman. Look at what Supreme Court did on DOMA, Prop 8. There’s your travesty.”

The Trayvon Martin case was so hyped that it brought a half-baked “blacks-versus-whites” theme to the foreground (even though Zimmerman is mostly Hispanic). It’s really unfortunate. Personally, I think that Zimmerman should have been found guilty. However, at the end of the day, it isn’t my business, nor is it yours. The case and trial is for the friends and family of Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman, and the judge/jury: It’s not for us. If you want to protest, you have that right. What isn’t right, is turning on CNN to see a Brady Bunch-style split screen with five people talking over each other about a case they have no connection to, for days upon days. Let the boy rest in peace.